DCS Marketplace Suggestion

[ARDDCS (Anthony)]

FYI, I had the opportunity to speak directly with EMRON MANGLESON VP DCS sales on another matter. I explained my thoughts on the topic and mentioned the discussion treads on the forum. He seemed quite interested in exploring some aspects of the the discussion items.

[anon99318867]

@ARDDCS

We need a good, robust safe Marketplace for DCS pre-owned components so we can have an easier upgrade path and a better entry path into the great DCS products world. A Structure involving dealers should not be an issue as that should also be part of the solution offering. It’s a mistake to think everyone has good access to a good DCS dealer in their area. Sometimes when you have one at all it’s a limited access dealer meaning there is no retail type showroom to audition or personally meet the dealer. Also apologies to the good ones but I found more dealers dealers than you would think are not as customer oriented as we might like to believe . They tend to size you up for spending power and devote their time to your questions and interaction accordingly. I have had several 50K to 100K systems with Meridian, DCS, HiFiman , Krell, etc and more than my share of experiences like I am suggesting with each. As DCS products have many devoted buyers and enthusiasts. A place to safely buy and sell DCS components specifically even with dealer participation would be quite helpful to all of us and I believe ultimately DCS. And honestly, this is where future-focused digital solutions could play a role too — platforms like FlexFuture specialize in building sustainable digital ecosystems with trust, transparency, and measurable results. Applying that type of structured approach to a DCS marketplace could make it much more reliable and accessible for enthusiasts like us. Can’t tell you the many time I have been swayed away to another brand by an accessible dealer who carries another product because you can’t get to DCS network unless your able to attend shows. Most of us can’t. As an example I just recently sold off most of my system to try another HP system and wound up trying to reassemble my DCS Lina as I saw more value in it when I tried others. However I can’t find a pre=owned Lina AMP in a place i trust anywhere on line. Audiogon had one for a couples of months and it was mine……. And right now I can’t drop a full price replacement. Also finance structures are everywhere. Why not in high end audio? Looking at apple as an example I have a never ending relationship with their more expensive products because they facilitate your getting the next one from payment plans to better financing partners. So by example I often use their options say for the latest Mac while I am selling the one I currently own. It Keeps you constantly in the family upgrading (just an exampl) If DCS had that I would be completing my Lina system again while I am selling the items I bought that I am not satisfied with. I think its something worth thinking about?

I think you’ve raised a really important point. The lack of a structured, trustworthy marketplace for DCS gear definitely makes upgrading or even just getting started more difficult than it needs to be. For many of us, the dealer network is either too thin, inaccessible, or not really customer-focused, which can push people toward other brands simply because they’re easier to find and audition.

A dedicated platform for pre-owned DCS components could solve a lot of this — not only giving existing owners a safe way to sell, but also lowering the barrier for new users to enter the ecosystem. With proper verification, dealer involvement, and maybe even standardized financing or trade-in programs, it could keep people within the DCS family longer instead of losing them to competitors.

Your Apple example is a good one — the constant upgrade path supported by financing and resale options keeps customers engaged and loyal. Translating that kind of structure to high-end audio would be challenging but incredibly beneficial for both buyers and the brand.

I’d also be curious if others here have ideas on what features such a marketplace would need to be trusted by both casual enthusiasts and serious collectors.

[PAR (Pete)]

An old but nice idea. However it is likely to remain as an idea for the reasons made by Phil a couple of years ago:

@Phil

Having a secondhand marketplace for kit as far as a manufacturer is concerned is something that isn’t straightforward … there’d be a conflict of interests with the dealers and also we wouldn’t be in any position to ensure that units are in good condition (or are even a legitimate sale) so this isn’t something that I can see us doing on here.

That isn’t an exhaustive list of the barriers either ( who? where? how funded? consumer legislation ? tax?).

[Dunc (Duncan)]

Well if dCS ever decide to add a secondhand dCS products only for sale section and was looking for someone to help police that area in anyway, then I would certainly be willing to step up.

I feel it would be a great place for owners wishing to sell their own gear to fellow members of this site. It could also help in ruling out the fake sales by having someone in between the sale to help and over see it. Obviously practices would need to be put in place, but I could see it working well and having been involved with running a forum and large member group car club for over a decade I have an idea on how it should work and be as safe as it can be.

Cheers dunc

[barryr1]

It may be as simple as a PRIVATE “blogger or wordpress” page with the function handled there. It could be by invite only and the administrator able to approve each post. I have run a blogger site for nearly 20 years. They can be pretty professional and extremely easy to design and manage with no outside website. There are a lot more net savvy guys on here than me. It would serve the purpose.

Then the issue would be if DCS wanted to add it as a link to the community with no liability or further over site.

[PAR (Pete)]

@barryr1

the issue would be if DCS wanted to add it as a link to the community with no liability or further over site.

Exactly. As dCS have already said:

" we wouldn’t be in any position to ensure that units are in good condition (or are even a legitimate sale) so this isn’t something that I can see us doing on here." ( Phil).

This is not a website run by an uninterested third party but is owned and moderated by dCS itself . Any dodgy offer or sale would carry a risk of reputational damage for them, even if they had no direct input.

[AndrewS (Andrew)]

Yes, there are multiple aspects, but I think the principal point is that our main route to market is via our work-wide authorized dealer and distributor network. Through this network we offer pre-owned programs (Dealer Approved and Certified Pre-Owned) which benefit from factory checks of the units and factory backed warranties. This enables us to participate in the second hand market while ensuring the legitimacy and condition of units offered for sale, as well as access to a trained dealer for setup and support assistance. We want to focus our efforts on publicizing and improving these programs where we have some ability to influence factors we believe are prerequisites for a good customer experience.